Presentation from Barcamp Vancouver 2009 on getting into vinyl records. If you are looking to get started in collecting, need a turntable or are looking for a few new tips there should be something helpful for you. Hit me up on twitter (@rickvug) if you want to connect.
5. Why?
โข CDโs sit on the shelf. Rip once into iTunes.
โข MP3/ACC not physical, not same perceived
value (Piratebay!)
โข LP sized artwork
โข Cheap
โข Collectible
6. Digital vs.Vinyl (letโs get this
out of the way)
โข Sound quality:
โข Highly subjective
โข CD is better in most cases.
โข Records take more work to sound great
โข Donโt buy into hype about records
sounding so much better. They donโt.
7. Sound Quality...
โข CD: Perfect digital sound. Does not
degrade. Information is exact.
โข CD: lower noise ๏ฌoor
โข CD: loudness wars
โข Vinyl: โwarmโ
โขVinyl: theoretically unlimited resolution
8. We all listen to MP3s.
Audiophiles Donโt live
in the real world
9. "I ๏ฌnd this sound quality stuff both
fascinating and ridiculous. Itโs like the
pixel resolution of digital cameras:
higher numbers are better, but that
discussion always pushes the actual
photography to one side, somehow."
Jonny Greenwood, Radiohead
10. Formats
โข Speeds: 33 RPM, 45 RPM, 78 RPM
โข 12โ - Long Play (LP). Normally 33 RPM.
โข 7โ - Single or Extended Play (EP). Normally
45 RPM. Note big hole... need an adaptor
โข 78 RPM. Donโt know anything about them.
Normally 10โ. Pressed in Shellac. Whatever
Wikipedia says!
20. Keep a want list
(Rolling Stone Top 500
albums)
21.
22. Thriller is the highest
selling album of all
time. It is worth $1, not
$735!
23. Buy new albums on
Vinyl. $5 more than
CD. Many come with a
free download.
24. Beatles, Stones, Pink Floyd,
Zeppelin, Who, Beach Boys,
Jimi Hendrix, Grateful Dead,
The Who (60s - early 70s)
are great for resale. Pickup
for cheap even if you already
own the record.
30. Turntable Buying Advice
โข Look for heavyweight turntables from mid
70s - present.
โข Brands: Linn, Technics (SL-1200),Thorens,
Dual, Onkyo, Sony, Denon, Rega, Music Hall.
โข Not sure about USB turntables.
โข Belt Drive vs. Direct Drive
31. Cartridges + Stylus
โข Shure M97Xe, M78S
โข Grado (gold, blue)
โข Audio Technica AT95E / 110E / AT440MLA
โข Goldring 1000 series ( 1006,1012 etc)
โข Ortofon OM and 2M series (Red)
โข Stanton 668
33. Phono Preamp
โข Amplify from line level input (RCA
connectors)
โข Built into old Receivers. Likely not in your
5.1 setup.
โข For best sound or compatibility with newer
systems, you need a separate pre-amp.
34. Budget Phono Preamps
โข My shopping list: is.gd/3UFeA
โข NAD PP-2, PP
โข Cambridge Audio Azur 540P/640P
โข Pro-Ject Phono Box MKII
โข Rega Phono MM
โข Music Hall MMF
35. Bottom Line
โข +/- $100 for old turntable + receiver (shop
around)
โข $500 for a solid budget setup
โข Sky is the limit on potential cost for
Audiophiles
42. Other care tips
โข Get outer (+inner) sleeves for LPs you care
about
โข Store vertical
โข Avoid moisture
โข Dust and dirt is enemy #1 for audio quality!
โข Google โrecord cleaningโ
43. Dorky Stuff I Couldnโt Fit In
โข Crazy cases + art
โข Posters
โข Colored, holographic vinyl
โข Lock groove (Sgt. Pepper, Atom Heart
Mother, Ga Ga Ga)
โข Delicious Library
โข Could always become a DJ!